Mumbai – India

Welcome to the Mumbai cruise port guide. Mumbai is one of the most hectic and craziest cities you could ever be in. It is raw, loud and polluted. Whatever senses go off in your head, that feeling doesn’t go away. Mumbai is not something to see, it is something to experience. The most fascinating realisation is how Mumbai works. The city is situated on roughly 233 sq miles and on this tiny area there are 12,5 million people living on it. That is almost 54000 people per square mile. How do these people make it work? How is transportation even possible in this chaos. How can anything be origanized in the mess? Well, it works and this is simply something you cannot wrap your head around. Mumbai takes you away on a ride you will never forget, whether you are going to be enchanted by the the traffic, going into the safe zones of the museums or going full on for Mumbai’s markets. Set aside your standard of hygiene, your preference for peace and quite and open your arms for Mumbai!

This is the cruise terminal in the Bombay port trust to welcome you to Mumbai.

Inside the cruise terminal there are different facilities.

The Green Gates are usually the exit of the port. This is where the shuttle bus will drop you off and where you will find taxis and public transport.

The public transport of Mumbai is extensive, but adventurous. This bus leaves from outside the gates.

Travel information India

Official currency – Indian Rupee Accepts Us dollars – yes Creditcards – are not widely accepted

Drives on the – left Timezone – UTC +5.30

About India

Inhabitants – 1 276 million Official language – Hindi and English Capital city – New Delhi

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Cruise Port Guide Mumbai – India: dock

In Mumbai your cruise ship will dock in Bombay port trust. There are several options of where your ship will dock, but if you are the only one in town it is a safe assumption you will dock at the passenger terminal. See map above for its location. Once your ship is docked get yourself on the outside deck to get that first impression on mighty Mumbai. When you step on to the dock you will find that there is a passenger terminal waiting for you there. This will be several facilities here. Services change per call, so we’d rather make no promises. Walking in the port is prohibited so the ship will provide a shuttle bus to bring you to the exit of the port. Bombay port trust has several exits in the port area. All exits refer to a color. Try to remember what color gate it is that you have to enter to get back into the port. If you dock at the passenger terminal you will most likely use the Green Gates exit. And yes, the gates are green. See the picture of the gates underneath.

Taxis in Mumbai

Taxis will be waiting for you at the green gates. These taxi drivers are there to try to sell you the taxi tour. For about 4000 Rs. (+/- 65 USD) a day this man will take you anywhere. It could be that they’ll offer it for a cheaper price, but also keep in mind this man needs to make a living. These guys usually do not take short rides on the meter, so if you just want a one way cheap taxi walk further up the road until you can hail one on the street. There are 2 types of taxis you can use in Mumbai. The traditional yellow/black taxis that do not have air conditioning. A ride with these taxis costs you about 50 Rupee to get to Crawfort market for example or 100 Rupee to get you to the other side of town. These taxis have meter so check if it is on, but they are usually pretty descent with it. You can also take the blue/silver taxi. This one is also official, but the main difference is that this is air conditioned. Expect you pay about 30% extra compaired to the traditional taxi. Whatever you do it is wise to just step into a taxi and check if he hits the meter than to start bargaining about how much USD a ride would cost.

Public bus system

There is a bus system in Mumbai and although we wouldn’t necessarily recommend public transportation in Mumbai. The bus on the left hand side picture is the bus that will pass the Green Gates. Why not try to catch it just for the challenge of it all. This bus goes to Crawfort market. You buy your ticket with the guy on the bus. 50 Rupee will get you a day ticket. Don’t forget, this is not for everyone, but it’s just a small suggestions for the dare devils amongst us. The train system of Mumbai is what keeps this city alive and this is something we would recommend to experience. Go to the Churchgate station to catch the train to the 5th stop Mahalaxmi where you can find Dhobi Ghat. For just 9 rupee you’ll have the experience of a life time. Also a couple of things to keep in mind when in Mumbai:

– People hassling for money is an unfortunate fact of life in Mumbai. A firm but friendly NO should be enough to stop harassment.

– Plan your bathroom stops. There is not always a clean and proper bathroom around, but you can expect them at the nicer hotels and museums.

– Traffic can be very chaotic so watch the time.

FAQ about Mumbai as cruise destination

– Is if safe to walk in Mumbai? Yes, it is. It might not feel so comfortable especially in the beginning, but let’s say you are up for an adventurous walk.

– Do taxis run on the meter? Yes, they do. The taxis at waiting at the exit of the port are there to make a deal with you, but the taxis you’ll find in town always automotically will start on the meter.

– Is there a hop on hop off bus in Mumbai? Yes, there is. It is not waiting at the city gates though and even if you manage to catch it is more a city tour than a hop on hop off bus. This bus would not be something we would recommend as it has no convenience for you.

– Can I pay the taxi in US dollars? Usually the taxi drivers at the exit of port will make a deal in US dollars for you. The taxi drivers in town usually only take Rupee.

– Is Mumbai safe at night? Yes, it is. You will always have your usual city safety issues, but in Mumbai there is nothing to be extra alarmed about.

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